Missing children and adults in St. Louis County

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

Please enable Javascript to watch this video

ST. LOUIS COUNTY (KPLR) – You might be surprised to learn that more than 650 kids and adults were reported missing last year in unincorporated St. Louis County. Most of them were found but the search for them is brutal on their families. This is the time of year when many of the juveniles in our area tend to runaway. Police stay busy chasing missing teen reports.

Of the 659 missing person’s reports in St. Louis County in 2013, 242 were missing adults. 417 cases last year were missing juveniles. All but nine were found. Social media is helping police locate the chronic offenders. Detectives never close a missing person's cases until that child or adult is found dead or alive. More than 110,000 people are reported missing across the country every year. Only three persons of the missing person’s cases in St. Louis County last year remain unsolved.

Families are often frustrated with the lack of national coordination between law enforcement and the national data bases where missing persons are reported. Families are supporting legislation called Billy’s Law both statewide and nationally. It would combine government databases and help law enforcement and families work together better.

Missing Persons Day in MissouriMissouri State Capitol11 am to 1 pmReception to follow at the North Jefferson City Recreation Area from 2 pm to 6 pm